In response to recent demonstrations and gatherings by the public, the Northeast Health District is issuing guidance on reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission during mass gatherings and on how to respond to a potential exposure while in attendance. Read on...

All employees, customers, patrons, residents, and visitors in Athens-Clarke County are urged to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in situations where one might come in near contact with persons from outside of one’s own household. Read on...

The 15 people who have died were ages 60-90+. Eleven of those deaths occurred at a long-term care facility during March and April. For a daily report on long-term health care facilities in the state, visit the Georgia Department of Community Health’s website at dch.georgia.gov.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should always consult their healthcare provider if they are sick.

The Northeast Health District Epidemiology team works to identify and notify any close contacts who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Governor’s May 28 Statewide Executive Order for Statewide Shelter-in-Place & Business Restrictions

UPDATE - MAY 28: 36-page May 28 Executive Order from Governor provides updated information about shelter-in-place and business requirements. Read a PDF of the order.

Updated May 28 - 7:25 p.m.

Some notes:

Provisions in the order are effective from June 1-15

All residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while outside of their homes.

Gatherings are not allowed unless their grouping is transitory or incidental or is the result of being spread across more than one single location. Gatherings are now defined as more than 25 persons physically present at a single location if, to be present, persons are required to stand or be seated within 6 feet of any other person.

Those are higher risk of severe illness as defined in the order are required to Shelter-in-Place within homes or residences through June 12.

For restaurants and dining services, allowing no more than 10 patrons per 300 square feet and requiring 39 different measures.

Live performance venues will remain closed during the order.

Critical Infrastructure shall implement measures to mitigate exposure and spread of COVID-19, which may include 16 measures in the order.

Professional sports teams and organizations shall operate pursuant to the rules or guidelines promulgated or approved by the respective professional league of the sport

Businesses that continue in-person operations that are not Critical Infrastructure shall implement 21 measures to help prevent the exposure and spread of COVID-19 and should implement 3 additional measures if practicable.

Food establishments shall also implement 6 additional measures to the 21 measures for businesses above, as well as additional measures, which may include 13 measures mentioned in the order.

Persons working outdoors without regular contact with other persons, such as delivery services, contractors, landscape businesses, and agricultural industry services shall only be required to practice Social Distancing and implement sanitation processes in the guidelines issued by the CDC.

Summer school shall implement additional measures that may include 11 measures.

Child care learning centers and family child learning homes under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) allows DECAL staff-child ratios and shall also implement an additional 13 measures to the 21 mentioned above.

Summer camps can host campers overnight as of May 31. Summer camps shall also implement 33 measures and have some additional requirements.

While the statewide order is in effect, all local ordinances that are more restrictive or less restrictive than the statewide order are suspended.

Reporting Gatherings/Businesses Not Following Ordinance Guidelines

There are two ways to report concerns about gatherings and businesses related to the declaration of a local emergency ordinance and the shelter-in-place and business requirements through the anonymous tip line.

Please include a short description of what the business is doing to violate the ordinance, and an address if you have it.

By Text:

Text the following (without quotes, but with the spaces) "Tip COVIDACC [message, business name and other details]" to 888777.

You will receive a reply with a password to login and provide additional information or images if necessary.